In a news release, UCB states that the FDA approved Cimzia to treat rheumatoid arthritis based on clinical trials in which more than 2,300 rheumatoid arthritis patients taking Cimzia with another drug, methotrexate, had a greater reduction in signs and symptoms of RA after 24 weeks of treatment, compared to patients only taking methotrexate. Some patients showed clinical responses to Cimzia plus methotrexate within one to two weeks.

Patients taking Cimzia and methotrexate also had a slower progression of joint damage during the trial than patients only taking methotrexate, according to UCB.

Adverse events seen in Cimzia's clinical trials included infections such as tuberculosis and malignancies such as lymphoma. Both of those risks are noted on Cimzia's label.